Timber setting machine



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' TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 26. 1948 1l Sheets-Sheet 9 Aug. 1l, 1953 Filed Nov. 26. 1948 C. W. FITZG ERALD TIMBER SETTING MACHINE ll Sheets-Sheet lO Aug. 1l, 1953 c. w. FITZGERALD 2,648,444

TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1948 1J. Sheets-Sheet ll Patented Aug. 1l, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMBER SETTING MACHINE Charles W. Fitzgerald, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 26, 1948, Serial No. 62,100

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to timber setting machines, and more particularly to an improved machine for transporting roof timbering elements such 'as cross timbers and props, for sawing the roof props to the proper length, 'and for setting the cross timbers against the roof of a mine or tunnel.

In mining and tunnelling operations, it is common practice to set cross timbers against the roof as the work advances to support the roof against falls or cave-ins, and the cross timbers are usually held in position by upright timbers or props. The props are usually sawed to proper length, and the cross timbers are manually lifted into place against the roof and held there as the props are set in placeJ an arduous and extremely dangerous task. In known instances, timber setting machines have been provided for transporting the timbering elements, for sawing the props to the proper length and for setting the cross timbers in place against the roof. The present invention contemplates improvements over such known machines in that improved means is provided for transporting the roof timboring elements, for sawing the uprights or props to the proper length, and for raising and holding the cross timbers in place against the roof during setting of the uprights or props, thereby to perform the several timber setting operations with comparatively little efort on the part of the operator and his helpers and minimizing the danger. The machine of the present invention embodies a mobile base adapted to travel about the mine or tunnel and havingr a centrally located compartment of large capacity for receiving a load of roof timbering elements such as cross timbers and props, with the bottom of the compartment made adjustable and provided with power elevating devices whereby the timber load may be lifted with respect to the base so that the timbering elements may be easily disposed in position to be sawed and the cross timbers may be readily moved endwise from the compartment bottom along a boom type elevator onto the timber receiving saddle, and when the timber is properly positioned on the saddle the elevator boom. may be swung upwardly to place and hold the cross timber against the roof. The machine of the present invention also embodies a novel saw mechanism and improved means for supporting and guiding the timbering elements with respect to the saw of the mechanism whereby the timbering elements may be readily cut to proper prop lengths. Moreover, in the machine of the present invention, the pivoted elevator boom which carries the saddle is mounted to swing horizontally about an upright axis with respect to the base and to be shifted rectilinearly in a horizontal direction so that a cross timber may be easily positioned at the desired location with respect to the roof. Also, in a machine of the present invention, the propelling and steering means for the machine is improved whereby not only may the machine be effectively propelled, but also may be easily steered through the sharply curved passageways of an underground mine or tunnel. Further, the machine of the present invention is of an extremely low and compact design well adapted to use in mines or tunnels having low headroom, and is provided with a novel iiuid system and. fluid operated adjusting and controlling devices whereby the machine may be conveniently and easily operated and controlled, and with comparative safety, in the restricted spaces encountered in underground mines or tunnels. The machine also has improved means for operating and adjusting the elevator boom and for positioning the timbers for movement onto the saddle of the elevator boom.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved timber setting machine. Another object is to provide an improved timber setting machine having improved means for transporting a load of roof timbering elements, for sawing the timbering elements to proper length, and for elevating and setting in place the cross timbers against the roof. A further object is to provide an improved timber setting machine embodying improved means for lifting the load of timbering elements with respect to the sawing and elevating means of the machine whereby the timbering elements may be easily placed in sawing position and in a position to be moved onto the elevating means. Yet another object is to provide an improved timber setting machine having a mobile base provided with a large compartment for receiving a load of roof timbering elements and improved means for lifting the compartment bottom whereby the load of timbers may be readily positioned for convenient handling. Still another object is to provide improved means for positioning the cross timbers with respect to the roof and for elevating the cross timbers up against the roof and for holding them in place during setting thereof. A still further object is to provide an improved timber setting machine embodying a swingable boom type elevator which carries the timber receiving saddle, together with improved means for horizontally positioning the saddle as the timber thereon is elevated and placed against the roof. Another object is to provide an improved timber elevator boom mounted on a horizontally shiftable support carried by a turntable, together with improved means for swinging the elevator boom, for shifting the horizontal support, and for rotating the turntable, whereby a timber supported on the saddle of the elevator boom may be adjusted through a wide range thereby to facilitate positioning of the timber with respect to the roof. Still another object is to provide an improved timber lifting device, together with improved power operated devices for effecting the lifting function and embodying means for levelling and tilting the lifting device. A still further object is to provide an improved timber setting machine having improved fluid operated devices for effecting various adjustments and controls of the machine, together with an improved fluid system and associated control valve means. Another object is to provide an improved timber setting machine having novel arrangements and combinations of parts. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a timber setting machine constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on the planes of line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail cross sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, on a somewhat reduced scale, taken on the planes of line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 'I-1 of Fig. 3, showing the turntable rotating mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, with the compartment bottom in lowered position.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the plane of Fig. 8, showing the compartment bottom in raised position.

Fig. 10 is a :fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line l-Il of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line I I-I I of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showing the propelling and steering mechanism, which embodies two-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12, with the near wheels omitted.

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical sectional view taken Fig. 18 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line I8-I8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary side view, with parts shown in vertical section, illustrating diiierent operating positions of the saw.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail vertical section taken on line 20--20 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 21 is a detail horizontal section taken on line 2I-2I of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic fluid system and associated control valve means.

Figs. 23, 24 and 25 are diagrammatic views showing different operating positions of the timber setting machine in a mine passageway or tunnel.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved timber setting machine generally designated I is an improvement over that disclosed and claimed in a copending application to one C. F. Ball, Ser. No. 61,177, filed November 20, 1948, and generally comprises a mobile base 2 having a low, compact frame 3 mounted on pairs of front and rear rubber-tired wheels 4, 4 and 5, 5. Supported at the front end of the base is a horizontal turntable 6 carrying a horizontal sliding support "I on which a pivoted boom type elevator 8 is mounted to swing in vertical planes with respect to the sliding support and the turntable. Carried at the outer end of the elevator boom is a swivelled timber receiving saddle 9. Arranged centrally lengthwise of the base frame rearwardly of the elevator boom and turntable is a relatively large timber receiving compartment I9 adapted to receive a load of roof timbering elements, and the compartment bottom II cooperates with lifting means I2 for lifting the load of timbering elements in the compartment relative to the base to facilitate positioning of the timbering eiements both with respect to a saw mechanism I3 and the elevator boom 8 and saddle 9. Stabilizer jacks I4 carried by the base frame are engageable with the floor below the elevator boom for providing a bottom brace for the latter during elevating and setting of a cross timber. An electric motor I5 drives a pump I6 for supplying liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices of the machine. Reversible electric motors I'I', I'I drive the front wheels 4. A conventional hydraulically operated electric cable reel I8 arranged at the rear end of the base frame serves to conduct electric power to the motors I5 and il.

Now referring to the detail structure of the propelling and steering mechanism of the machine, it will be noted that, as shown most clearly in Figs. l2 and 13, the front wheels l are journaled on swingable axle mountings 2i), 28 pivoted on vertical axes at the ends of a transverse axle 2| rigidly secured to the base frame, and the swivelled axle mountings have arms 22 connected by a conventional tie rod 23 so that the front wheels may be swung in unison. The rear wheels 5 are journaled on swingable axle mountings 24 pivoted on vertical axes at the ends of a transverse axle 25, and the axle mountings have arms 26 connected by a conventional tie rod 21 so that the rear wheels may be swung in unison. The rear axle is pivoted at 28 at longitudinally spaced points on the base frame to rock about a longitudinal axis lying in the vertical center of the base. By the provision of the rocking rear axle, the machine may traverse an uneven floor surface Without distortion of the frame of the base. The front wheels are propelling wheels, and are driven by the motors l1 each through a conventional speed reducer 29 which has its terminal shaft 3U coupled by a universal joint 3l to a transmission shaft 32. The shaft 32 at its rear end is coupled by a universal joint 33 to a longitudinal shaft 34 journaled within the adjacent axle mounting 2i). Fixed to the shaft 34 within the mounting is a worm 35 meshing with a worm wheel 3e fixed to the axle to which the adjacent front wheel is secured. Thus the front wheels may be driven concurrently by the motors l1 irrespective of the swivelled position of the wheels. Conventional front wheel brakes 36', desirably of the hydraulically operated spotdisc type, are associated with certain elements of the speed reducers 29, and conventional hydraulically operated brakes are associated with the rear wheels for braking the latter, and a common control is provided for the brakes for concurrently braking the four wheels. Four-wheel steering is provided, and the swivel mountings D and 24 of the wheels at one side of the base have arms 3l and 3B connected by drag links 39 and [le respectively to one end of levers il and d2 pivotally mounted on transverse axes at the adjacent side of the base frame. The front lever ll is pivotally connected near the pivotal connection of the latter with its associated drag link 3S to a link d3 which is in turn pivotally connected to the lower end of the rear lever A2. A fluid cylinder 44 pivoted at 45 on a bracket secured to the adjacent side of the base frame contains a recriprocable piston d@ having its piston rod il pivotally connected to the upper end of the front lever lll with its pivot alined with the pivotal connection of the link 43 with this same lever. Thus, when fluid is suitably supplied to the cylinder 1M, the piston Mi may be moved to effect opposite swinging movements of the front and rear wheels in one direction or the other to turn the machine through a sharply curved path. To effect steering a steering wheel 49 located at the operators tramming station S at the rear end of the machine is connected through a gear and gear segment to a steering arm 5e pivoted at 5| on the adjacent side of the base frame and ccnnected by a pivoted rod 52 to the lower end of a lever 53. A drag link 5e connects the upper end of the lever 53 with the rear drag link 4e. link 55 pivotally connects the lever 53 with a stem 56 of a conventional control valve 5l which controls, as later explained, the flow of liquid under pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinder M. Thus, by turning the steering wheel fle,

liquid under pressure may be supplied to the steering cylinder M to effect turning of the four steering wheels in the desired direction, and the drag link 5d provides a mechanical connection between the steering wheel le and the steering gear, whereby under certain conditions the wheels may be manually turned to effect steering. By trapping liquid in the steering cylinder 4d, the wheels may be held in the desired position of adjustment in an obvious manner.

The turntable e is mounted in a relatively low position below the top of the base frame on a hollow forward projection 66 of the base frame, and the turntable mounting comprises a circular plate El (Figs. 3 and e) secured, as by screws, in a horizontal position to the top of the frameprojection te, and a retaining ring |52 secured, as by screws, to the plate el has an inwardly directed annular ange 63 overlying a peripheral flange B4 on the frame $5 of the turntable.

Secured, as by screws, to the bottom of the plate 6I within the hollow frame projection 60 is a gear housing 66, and a vertical shaft (Fig. 3) suitably iixed centrally to the turntable frame projects downwardly into the gear housing in the manner shown. The shaft 6l is journaled in a bearing 58 suitably supported with the gear housing, and keyed to the shaft 61 below the bearing is a worm wheel 69 (see also Fig. 7) with which a worm 'l0 meshes (see also Fig. 4). The Worm 'le is formed integral with a horizontal shaft 1l arranged transversely of and suitably journaled on bearings supported within the housing. The shaft ll projects outwardly from the housing and has fixed thereto a chain sprocket l2 which is connected by an endless drive chain 'H3 to a drive sprocket 14 secured to the power shaft of a conventional reversible hydraulic motor l5 carried by the base frame, When the motor 15 is suitably operated, the turntable El may be rotated in one direction or the other, and when the motor is stopped the worm gearing 69, 'lll serves to lock the turntable in its position of adjustment. The elevator boom may be swung horizontally by rotation of the turntable between right angle positions at either side of the machine. The control valve means for the motor l5 will be later described. In this improved construction, suitably secured to the top of the turntable frame 65 are members ll (Figs. 3 and 4) providing guideways le which slidingly receive guides 19 integral with the sliding support 1. Arranged above the guide-wayproviding members 1'! are horizontal fluid cylinders 8!) (see also Fig. 6) pivotally connected at their rear ends at 8| on transverse axes to the turntable frame 65. Reciprocable in these cylinders are pistons 82 having their piston rods 83 extending outwardly from the cylinders and pivotally connected at their forward ends at 84 on upright axes to the sliding support l. By pivotally connecting the cylinder and piston rods to the turnable frame and sliding support so that they may swing slightly both laterally and up and down, binding of the parts is avoided. When liquid under pressure is suitably supplied to the cylinders 8G, the sliding support l may be moved along a rectilinear path horizontally back and forth along its guideways relative to the turntable. The control valve means for the cylinders 8e will be later described.

rlhe boom type elevator or elevator boom El has spaced rear arm portions d, le secured at 8l to a horizontal transversely disposed shaft 88. A sleeve 86 secured, as by welding, to the spaced boom arms e@ surrounds the shaft llt and serves rigidly to brace the rear arm portions. The shaft ile is arranged above the turntable 5, and is journaled at its in bearings supported by upstanding brackets Si integral with the sliding support l (see Fig. 4). Thus, the elevator boom il may swing in vertical planes relative to the sliding support and turntable. The boom frame is elongated and extends outwardly beyond the forward end of the base and carries the saddle 9 at its outer extremity. Supported at the top of the elevator boom are transverse guide rollers spaced lengthwise of the boom frame in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 3. These guide rollers are each journaled at le (Fig. 5) on a shaft Sie secured to a bracket EN, the latter being fixed, as by screws, to the top of the boom frame. le shown in Fig. 5, the boom frame is of a boxlike fabricated welded construction to combine rigidity with light weight and is open at its bottom throughout its length. rI'he boom frame may be swung in vertical planes upwardly on its pivotal mounting by a hydraulic cylinder 9B mounted in a cylindrical portion 99 or the sliding support. The cylinder 96 is arranged centrally between the cylinders 38 in parallelism therewith (Figs. 4 and 6), and reciprocable in the cylinder 98 is a piston |85 having its piston rod |3| extending forwardly through the packed front cylinder head. The forward portion of the piston rod is slidably received in a guide |92 carried by the sliding support, and pivotally connected to the piston rod at |53 is a cross frame or equalizer yoke il swingable in horizontal planes and having iieXib-le chain sections |85 attached at |85 at its ends. These chain sections pass around curved segmental. guides |51 (see also Fig. 14) detachably secured, as by screws, to the boom frame, and are attached at |58 to brackets |55 secured to the rearward end of the boom frame. When liquid under pressure is supplied to the rear end of the cylinder 58, the piston |59 is moved forwardly to swing the boom frame upwardly about its pivot to elevate the timber receiving saddle 5, and when liquid is vented from the cylinder the boom frame may swing downwardly by gravity at a controlled rate. The control valve means for the cylinder 98 will be described later on.

In this illustrative construction, the timber receiving saddle 9 has a bottom frame lli secured to a vertical shaft |i2 swiveiled in bearing sleeves supported within a bearing boss |53 secured to an outer frame i irl. Extending longitudinally within the boom frame, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, is an arm |15 ci a light-weight, flat and relatively wide, fabricated welded construction, arranged in the opening in the boom, and this arm is pivotally connected at its rear end at i l5 to upstanding lugs Il herein integral with the cylinder support 99, and this arm is pivotally connected at its front end at i i8 to the outer frame H2 which carries the saddle. rihe four pivots of the boom fra-me and arm are equally spaced at the corners of a parallelogram, and the boom frame and arm cooperate to provide a parallel motion arrangement whereby the saddle is maintained horizontal irrespective of the angular position of the boom trame. The structure of the saddle per se may be similar to that fully disclosed in a copending application to C. F. Ball, Ser. No. 24,534, filed May 1, 1948, now Patent No. 2,574,857, granted November 13, 1951, and includes a swivelled timber receiving platform or turntable H9.

1n this improved construction, the adjustable bottom of the compartment i5 comprises a rectangular horizontal plate |2| which extends laterally nearly the full width oi the compartment and extends longitudinally nearly the full length of the compartment, as shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive. This horizontal plate receives the timber load, and, when in lowered position, rests on horizontal cross members |22 spaced longitudinally of the compartment and secured to vertical plates |23` providing the side walls of the compartment. Pivotally mounted on transverse pivot shafts |25 secured to the side plates |23 are front and rear lever arms |25 and |23 in the form of bell cranks, and the parallel side portions |21' of each lever arm are transversely braced by tubular cross rods |28 welded thereto. The side portions of the front lever arm |25 carry at their upper ends a transverse pivot rod |38 which passes through the upper tubular brace |28 and which pivotally engage at |3| bearings |32 supported within bearing supports |33 secured as by welding (Fig. 16) to channel-like side members |55. in turn welded to the bottom of the horizontal plate |2| (Figs. 1Q and 11). The side portions or the rear lever arm |25 carry within the upper tubular brace |28 (Fig. 15) a transverse shaft |35 which at its ends supports bearings |35 on which rollers I3? are journaled. These rollers are engaged in longitudinal guideways |355 provided at the inner sides of the channel-like side members |34 (Fig. l1). Fivotally mounted on transverse axes on brackets |60 secured to the base frame to swing in vertical planes are front and rear fluid cylinders |4| and H52 respectively containing reciprocable pistons |465 and lf2-'i having their piston rods projecting outwardly from the cylinders and pivotally connected at MG and |41 respectively on parallel axes to the lower ends o the lever arms. When the bottom plate |2| is in its lowered position shown in Figs. 8 and lo, and huid under pressure is suitably supplied to the rear ends of the cylinders, the lever arms |25 and |26 may be swung in unison about their pivots to move the bottom plate upwardly through a series ci parallel horizontal planes to its elevated position shown in 9 and 10. The cylinders are provided with separate control valves so that the cylinders may be independently operated to effect, by proper control, maintenance of the horizontal position of the bottom plate in the event that the weight oi the timber load is heavier at one end of the plate than at the other, and to tilt the plate to position it horizontally in the event the base ol the machine is inclined endwise slightly with respect to the horizontal. By trapping huid in the cylinders, the bottoni plate may be held in its adjusted position, and when the cylinders are vented, the bottom plate may be lowered at a controlled rate. The control valves for the lifting cylinders will later be described.. This elevating structure for the compartment bottom is being claimed in a divisional application, Ser. No. 234,532, filed June 30, 1951.

The saw mechanism I3 is shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive, and includes a guide bar or saw blade disposed in vertical planes transversely of the base frame in advance of the compartment I5 (see Figs. 1 and 2), and an endless toothed saw chain |5| of a conventional pivoted link construction is guided for circulation in an orbital path about the margin of the bar. The bar is mounted on a hanger |52 suitably secured to a casing |53 which is secured to a bottom plate |54 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket |55 (Fig. 18) carried by a horizontal plate |56 suitably secured to the base frame. Carried by the swingable casing |53 is a conventional hydraulic motor l5? which has a drive sprocket |58 suitably secured to its power shaft, and this sprocket is connected by an endless drive chain |59 to a chain sprocket |60 (Fig. 20) fixed to a shaft |5| suitably journaled in bearings supported within the casing |53. Secured to and driven by the shaft |6| is a spur gear |62 which meshes with a spur gear |53 keyed to a parallel shaft |64 likewise journaled in bearings supported within the casing. Secured to the shaft |54 is a bevel pinion |65 which meshes with a large bevel gear |66 (see also Fig. 21) keyed to a transverse shaft |61 suitably journaled in bearings supported within the casing. Fixed to the shaft |61 is a chain drive sprocket |58 which engages and drives the endless saw chain |51. An upstading lever 169 is secured to the casing |53 to swing therewith and projects upwardly through a transverse slot 110 formed in a top cover |1| suitably attached to the top of the base frame. The lever |99 may be manually swung to swing the casing |53, thereby to swing the saw in vertical planes upwardly through the slot from the position shown in Fig. 18, and indicated in dotted lines at A in Fig. 19, to the raised position shown at B in Fig. 19. A suitable stop |12 (Fig. 18) is provided to limit downward swing of the saw by engage-ment with the bottom of the plate 15d. The top of the base frame at the side of the machine at which the saw is located carries a series of transverse rollers |13, and a timbering element located at the level of the tops of the rollers and designated T in Figs. 17 and 18 may be slid laterally from the compartment bottom plate onto these rollers, and a timbering element thus supported on the rollers may be easily moved endwise into proper sawing relation with the saw. Thus the timbering elements may be readily sawed to the desired prop lengths.

The floor engaging jacks I4 comprise vertical cylinders 15 secured in brackets |16 attached to the sides of the projecting portion 60 of the machine frame, and these cylinders contain reciprocable pistons having their piston rods |11 projecting downwardly and each connected through a ball and socket connection to a iloor engaging plate |18. Separate control valves are provided for independently operating the jacks, as will later be described. When the fluid is trapped in the jack cylinders the pistons may be locked in either their raised or lowered position.

The cable reel I8 may be driven by a conventional hydraulic motor |80 and may have a control device ltl associated therewith whereby, when the timber setting machine is propelled forwardly into the mine passageway or tunnel, the electric conductor cable wound on the cable reel may 'be drawn orf the reel while maintained under the desired tension. When the timber setting machine is propelled rearwardly the cable reel is driven by this motor at the desired cable winding speed. Since the particular structure of this reel does not enter into the present invention, and its control device is fully disclosed in a copending application to C. F. Ball et al., Ser. No. 731,126, filed February 26, 1947, further description thereof is herein unnecessary.

The motor driven pump I6 is adapted to supply liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices above described, and a control valve mechanism, as will soon be described in detail, is provided for controlling the flow of liquid under pressure relative to the hydraulic motors of the devices. Also, the electric motors 15 and 11 are provided with conventional electrical control apparatus, and since such electrical control apparatus is conventional and Well known, detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted.

The hydraulic system and associated control valve mechanism, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 22, includes the pump |6 driven by the motor 15. The pump is of the dual or tandem type and has its suction side connected by a conduit 183 to a liquid tank |84 carried by the base, and one discharge side of the pump is connected by a conduit |85 to the pressure passage of the Valve box |95 of a conventional control valve mechanism of the balanced sliding spool type. This valve box is located at one side of the machine within a chamber |81 formed within the side of the base frame intermediate the front and rear wheels, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This valve box is made up of valve block sections 188, 109, 190, 191, 192, 193, |911, 195, 19t and 191, and inlet and discharge end sections 1953 and |99, and the valve blocks and end sections are suitably maintained in assembled relation. The conduit |85 is connected to the chamber of the inlet section 198, and the chamber of the discharge section |99 is connected by a branch conduit 200 to a return conduit 29| leading back vto the tank. The valve block |88 has a bore containing a slide valve 292, and the bore is connected by a conduit 203 to a tramming control valve 2913 located at the tramming station S and which is in turn connected by conduits 295 and 290 to the opposite sides of the hydraulic motor 15 for rotating the turntable 6. A conduit 20d connected to the conduit 203 leads through the control device 18| to the intake side of the hydraulic motor |89 which drives the cable reel l, and the discharge side of the reel motor is connected by a conduit 205', to the return conduit 29|. The control device is connected 'by a conduit 20E', to the returnl conduit 205. The tramming control valve 204 for the turntable rotation motor is connected by a conduit 201 to a return conduit 298 connected to the conduit 20| leading back to the tank, and a return conduit 299 leads from the steering control valve 51 to the conduit 298 so that the latter provides a common return for both valves. The other discharge side of the tandem pump is connected by a conduit 219 to the steering control valVe 51, and this valve controls fluid flow through conduits 2| I and 212 to the opposite ends of the steering cylinder M. The conduit 210 has a relief valve 213 connected therein for discharging excessive pressures in the event of overload through a branch conduit 21:51 leading to the return conduit 201. The valve block 189 has a bore containing a slide valve 215, and the bore is connected by a conduit 216 to the rear cylinder |42 of the lifting device for the compartment bottom 1|, and the valve block |90 has a bore containing a slide valve 2|1, and the bore is connected by a conduit 218 to the front cylinder |41 of the lifting device. The valve block |91 has a bore containing a slide valve 219, and the bore is connected by conduits 220 and 22| to the opposite ends of the cylinder |15 of one of the floor jacks I4. The bore of the valve block 192 contains a slide valve 222, and is connected by conduits 223 and 224 to the opposite ends of the cylinder |15 of the other oor jack 14. The bore of the valve block |93 contains a slide valve 225, and is connected by a conduit 229 to a safety lock device for the boom lifting cylinder |98 for reducing the possibility of inadvertent dropping of the loaded elevator boom in a manner fully disclosed in a copending application to one J. D. Russell, Ser. No. 33,890, f led June 18, 1948, now matured into Patent No. 2,570,383, granted October 9, 1951. The valve block |99 has a bore containing a slide valve 221, and the bore is connected by a conduit 228 to the boom lifting cylinder |98. The bore of the valve block contains a slide valve 229, and is connected by conduits 230 and 23| and branch conduits 232 and 233 to the opposite ends of the cylinders 80 for shifting the sliding support '1. The valve block |96 has a bore containing a slide valve 232 and connected by conduits 295 and 236 respectively to the conduits 295 and 2t@ leading to the turntable rotating motor 15. The bore of the valve block |81 contains a slide valve 231 and is conneetedby a conduit 238 to the intake side of the saw motor l5?.A lThe discharge vside of the saw motor is connected by a conduit 2355 to the return conduit 200. The valve box 185 has a conventional relief valve device 240 vfor relieving excessive pressures in the fluid system in the event of overload byconnecting the pressure passage of the valve boxwith the discharge conduit 205. l

rIfhey general Inode 'of operation of the improved timber setting machine is as follows. K A load of ro'o'f timbering elements T, such as cross timbers and props, may be loaded on the lowered bottom Il of the 'compartment I0 in the piled-up relation shown in Fig. 10. The machine may be propelled about the mine for tunnel by the front propelling wheels 4 vdriven by the motors l'i, and during tramming the operator occupies the station S on the machine in a convenient position to operate the steering wheel 49, the tramming control valve 204 for the turntable rotating motor 15, and the control for the fonr wheel brakes. Byjrur'nirig the steering wheel 4s in the proper direction, theV steering lcontrol valve El may be actuated to supply liquid under pressure to lone 'end or the other -of the lsteering cylinder 44 to effect turning 'of thelsteering wheels 4 Vand 5in the desired'dirction. As the machine travels throughV lthe sharply curved passagewaysV of a mineor 'tnneL'the operator may manipulate the .1.;

tramming control valve 234 for the turntable rotating lmotor T5 to swing the elevator boom laterally in one direction or the other to facilitate movement 'of the 'machine around 'the sharp cornesr positioned `with respect tothe work, and it is desired to set across'timber against the roof, the elevator 'boom 8 'assumes 'the horizontal position shown in Figs. `l and 2, andthe machine operator at that time 'stands at theside of the vmachine n e'ar the valve box land 'may effect the supply of liquid under pressure to the floor jacks 1 4 under thecontrol of the slide valves 2-l9 Aand 222 tofm'o've'the saine into'engagement with the flor and, then;liqui`d under pressure maybe supplied to the'lftingcylinders lei andk M2 under the;cotrcrormesiiie valves s f5 and 2 i1 t@ eievatelthe'cor'np'artment bottom Htc bring the top row of 'timberingeleinents to the desired elevation. In the Ae'ventthe timber load weight is greater'bn'ne'lifting cylinder than on the other,

thef'valves 2 IF,y 'and `2 i l vmay bef separately operat'ed'in amanner to'maintain the compartment bottom in `a horizontal position, and the Valves may also beoperated to tilt the compartment bottom to level the timber load in the event the machine base is inclined in an endwise direction. A cross timber in longitudinal alinement with the'horizontalelevator'boom maythen be moved endwis'e along the bottom plate i2l onto therear'mstrbllenS of the elevator boom in theinanner shown inFig. 2, andthe timber Yis then movedendwise along theboom rollers onto the'timberreceiving saddle '9. When the-timber is properly positioned on the saddle, the operator may manipulate the slide valve22'! to effect supplybf liquid'un'der'pressure to the boom lift cylinder 98 to swing the boom upwardly a slight distance to'elevate'the saddle so that the timber thereon may clearthe top of the base fra-me and the timber may b'e turned to a crosswiseposition, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. The lift cylinder |98 may then be operated under the controlof thesli'de valve 221 to swingthe elevatorboom upwardly to bring the timber thereon against the roof and to hold it there in the manner shown in Fig. 23. During elevating and positioning of the cross timber, or subsequent to the placing of the cross timber against the roof, a timber may be moved laterally from the compartment onto the rollers H3 at one side of the base frame. and the timber may then be rolled endwise to bring the same into proper sawing relation with the saw mechanism i3 so that the timber maybe cut to the proper prop length, and the props may be set in place to :secure the cross timber rmly against the roof. Evidently, during elevation of a timber, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the cylinders 88 under the control of the slide valve .22S to slide the support 'I rectilinearly back and forth in a horizontal -direction and to the turntable rotating motor 15 under the control of the vslide valve 235 to -position the saddle horizontally to vlocate the timber in the desired position with respect `to Ithe roof. By moving the slide valve 227 to `connect the cyl-- inder l' to exhaust, the elevator boom ymay 'be lowered at a controlled rate. The compartment bottom Ymay be elevated by the lift cylinders i4! and M2 as the timbers are removed therefrom so that 4the -poled-up timbers may be disposed at different heights in the compartment. as shown in Figs. 10 and 1l, .thereby reducing xthe necessity of manually handling :the timbers.

When it is desired to vset a Across timber diagonally against the -roof across the entry, Aas shown irl-Fig. 24, the timber setting machine -is located near one rib, as shown, Aand lthe floor y jacks I4 are moved into engagement vwith `the When the timber setting machine is suitably floor. The elevator boom 8 may 'then be lowered into a horizontal position in-alinement with'the base and a properly `cut timber Lmay ber'olled out endwise from-the compartment along'the elevator'boom r3 onto-the-saddle 9. The'elevator boom is then swung upwardly la slightly ldistance y-so that the timber clears the -topf of the \ba'se frame, and the timber may then'bepositioned diagonally by turning Ethe saddle, as shown, and raised into position'against the 'roof and set-in place.

In Fig. 25, the timber setting machine'is 4shown in a `position for vsetting cross 'timbers against the roof -of a passageway-13such-as `a/cr'oss cut or room neck, extending-laterallyfrom fthe kmain entry. r-During this operation, the machine 'is 'angularlyv positioned in the entry, as ushown,and

the elevator boom -8 is positioned first in horizontal alinement with the base and'a-timber'is moved endwise'irom the compartment along the elevator boom onto the timber saddle. The elevator boomis 4then lifteda slight distance-so that the timber clearsftheftop of the base frame, andV is thereafter swunglaterally abouti theturntable a-Xisto the positionsho'wnfand -when the timber `is properly .positioned it is moved up against the roof and set'in place. Various other manners of-use-of the machinewill be clearly apparent to those skilled nthe art.

As a result of this invention, 'an Aimproved timber settingmachine is providedwhich serves to transport the roof -timbering' elements 4about the mine or `tunnel and embodies ynovel saw mechanism for cutting the timbers to-th'e proper prop lengths, and an*improved-mechanical'elevator apparatus ior-raising=thetimbers against the roof and for holdingthe timbersin-position during setting of the props. By the provision of the mechanical lifting deviceembodied in the machine, the timber load in the machine compartment may be lifted into -a position wherein the timbers may be received on the saddle of the elevator boom and to be moved laterally in sawing relation with the saw mechanism, thereby minimizing the need for manually lifting the timbers. The timber lifting device, by the provision of the independently operable lifting cylinders, may be maintained in a horizontal position even when the timber load on one cylinder is greater than on the other and may be tilted to maintain the timber load level in the event the base of the machine is inclined endwise with respect to the horizontal. By the provision of a timber setting machine of the design disclosed, not only may the cross timbers be quickly set in place against the mine or tunnel roof, but also the need for manually handling the mine timbers is substantially reduced. The novel propelling and steering means renders the propelling and steering of the machine extremely fiexible, not only permitting the machine to travlerse an uneven oor surface, but also enabling sharp turning of the machine to permit negotiation of the sharply curved passageways encountered in an underground mine or tunnel. The novel control means for the various hydraulically operated devices of the machine enables the operator to control the machine from a tramming station on the machine or at a timber setting station at one side of the machine, thereby greatly increasing the flexibility of control. lThe machine is extremely low and compact, well adapted to use in mines or tunnels having low head room. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its Spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having a frame provided with a forward horizontal projection in a relatively low position at one end thereof, fluid operated jack devices carried by projection at the sides thereof and engageable with the floor for steadying said frame, a horizontal turntable mounted in a relatively low position on said projection with the top of said turntable disposed below the top of said base, a support guided on said turntable for horizontal rectilinear movement relative thereto, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said support to swing in vertical planes relative thereto about a horizontal axis located above said turntable and below the top of said base, said elevator boom carrying a timber receiving at its outer extremity when in a horizontal position disposed below the top of said base, fluid operated means for rotating said turntable, fluid operated means for moving said support horizontally along its guideway, iluid operated means for swinging said elevator` boom about its pivot, and remote control means on said base for controlling the supply of operating fluid to said jack devices and said several lluid operated means.

2. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having a tramming station for the operator at one end thereof, a horizontal turntable mounted on said base at its opposite end, an elevator boom 14' pivotally mounted on said turntable to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto and carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, nuid operated means for rotating said turntable,

fluid operated means for swinging said elevator boom about its pivot, a source of fluid under pressure embodied in said base, control valve means located at the operators tramming station on the machine for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said turntable rotating means, and control valve means located at a station at the side of the machine whereby the operator may also control fluid flow from said source to said turntable rotating means as well as said elevator boom swinging means While standing at one side of the machine.

3. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base having a body, a timber elevating apparatus disposed at one end of said base and including a swingable boom carrying a timber receiving saddle and when lowered disposed in a horizontal position close to the top of' said body, said base having a compartment of substantial depth below the top of said body and extending longitudinally thereof centrally between the sides of said body for receiving a load of mine timbering elements, said compartment having an adjustable bottom for elevating the timber load, and said bottom when lowered disposed a substantial distance below the lowered horizontal boom, said elevator boom having timber guiding means whereby a timber received thereby may be moved endwise along said boom onto said saddle, and said compartment bottom when fully elevated disposed in substantial endwise alignment with said horizontal elevator boom whereby a timber may be moved endwise from said compartment bottom directly onto said guiding means of said elevator boom and onto said saddle without bodily lifting of the timber.

4. A timber vsetting machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said guiding means of said elevator boom, when said boom is in its lowered horizontal position, is disposed at the top of said body and said compartment bottom when fully elevated is disposed at the top of said compartment at the same level as said guiding means with the timbers on said compartment bottom then located above the top of said body whereby a timber may be moved endwise directly from said compartment bottom onto said guiding means as aforesaid.

5. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having a compartment extending centrally longitudinally thereof and adapted to receive a load of mine timbering elements, a timber elevating apparatus arranged on said base at one end of said compartment and including a timber receiving saddle, a timber guide arranged at one side of the top of said base for receiving a timber moved laterally from said compartment, a saw mechanism carried by said base including a saw arranged transversely of said base between said end of said compartment and said timber elevating apparatus, a timber on said guide being movable endwise into sawing relation with said saw into the path of movement of the latter, and said saw being movable in transverse vertical planes to cross -cut the timber in its path, and guiding means provided by said elevating apparatus disposable at substantially the same level as said timber guide for guiding a sawed timber during its movement from said compartment onto said saddle.

6. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having a compartment extending centrally longitudinally thereof and adapted to receive a load of mine timbering elements, a timber elevating apparatus arranged on said base at one end of said compartment and including a timber receiving saddle, a timber guide arranged at one side of the top of said base for receiving a timber moved laterally from said compartment, elevating devices associated with said compartment for lifting the timbers therein into a position to be moved laterally onto said timber guide, a saw mechanism carried by said base including a saw arranged transversely of said base between said end of said compartment and said timber elevating apparatus, a timber on said guide being movable endwise into sawing relation with lsaid saw into the path of movement of the latter, and said saw being movable in transverse vertical planes to cross cut the timber in its path, and guiding means provided by said elevating apparatus disposable at substantially the same level as said timber guide for guiding a sawed timber during its movement from said compartment onto said saddle.

7. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having a timber receiving compartment extending longitudinally centrally thereof and adapted to receive ya load of mine timbering elements, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said base at one end of said compartment, said boom carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, a saw mechanism carried by said base and including a saw arranged transversely of said base between said end of said compartment and said elevator boom, said boom disposable in a horizontal positionv in alinement with said base, aroller'guide on said boom for guiding a timber endwise` from saidcompartment onto said saddle, and: a. roller guider at one side of said base for receiving a timber' moved laterally from said l compartment and for guiding the timber thereon in an endwise direction relative to 'said saw whereby the latter may cross cut the timber, said roller guides, when in timber receiving position, disposedI at substantially the same level as the top of said base whereby a timber may be moved fromV one to the other without bodily lifting of the timber.'

8. naA timber elevating apparatus for a timber setting machine, a pivoted, elongated elevator boom of` inverted, U-sha-pe in cross section having a chamber extending longitudinally thereof and opening through the bottom of' said boom, means for pivota-lly, mounting said boom to swing in vertical planes about a horizontal axis, a support pivotally mounted on the outer extremity of said boom to rock about'an axis parallel with the boom pivot axis, a horizontal timber receiving saddle carried by said-support, a flat and relatively wide arm extending longitudinally in said longitudinal boom chamber in substantial .parallelism with said boom and pivoted at its rear end and pivotally connected to said support at its outer end, the four-pivots of saidboom and arm arranged at the'corners of a'parallelogram so that said boom and arm cooperate'to provide a parallel motion connection for'saidsupport whereby said saddle ismaintainedhorizontal irrespective of the position'of'said boom about its pivot, said boom having side projections` extending below the sides of the U at its rear end, said'projections disposed at thefsides'of saidfarm, and power operated means connectedptosaid side projections and located beneath said boom for swinging the latter about itsrpivot.

9. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base, a horizontal turntable mounted in a relatively low position on said base with its top surface disposed a substantial distance `below the top of said base, an eleafator boom pivotally mounted on said turntable on a transverse horizontal axis located above said turntable and below the top of said base, a timber receiving saddle carried at the outer extremity of said boom, said boom being swingable into a horizontal position about its pivot below the top of said base to locate said saddle at substantially the same level as the top of said base whereby a timber disposed at the top of said base may be moved endwise onto said saddle without bodily lifting of the timber, a iiuid cylinder carried by said turntable below said boom pivot,

and. a piston reci'procable in said cylinder and operatively' connected to the rear end of said boonrv for swinging the latter about its pivot.

1D'. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base having' a horizontal projection' at one end thereof near the bottom oi the base, a horizontal turntable mounted in a relatively low position on said bottoni projection or said base with its top surface disposed a substantial distance below the top oi said base, parallel horizontal guideways mountedI on said turntable at the sides thereof andi spaced equidistantly from the center of the turntable, a horizontal support guided for horizor'ital` rectilinear movement along said guideway, an elevator boom pivotallfy mounted on said support onahorizontal transverse axis disposed at the top oi said support and below the top of said base, said boom being swingable about its pivot into a horizontal position below the top of said basel and carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, horizontally disposed extensible iiui'd devices arranged in parallelism at the tops of said. guideways and operatively connected between said turntable and said support for moving'the latterbackand forth along its guideways, anda horizontally disposed extensible iluid'device arranged on said support beneath said boom' pivot centrally 'between said paralleli fluid devices and operatively connected to said boom for swinging theflatter.

ll. In a' timber settingmachine, the combination comprisinga mobile base having a tra-mming station for ther operator at one end thereof, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said body at the opposite; end thereof, remote from said tramming station, toswing horizontally relative to' said'baseabout an upright axis, said elevator boom carrying a timber receiving saddle'at its outerfextremity, power operated means for swinging said elevator boom horizontally about said upright' axis, control means located at the operators-tramming station on said base forcontrolli'ng the flow ofA power medium to said power operated swingin'g'means'for said elevator boom, and controlimeans located at a station spacedlongitudinally of said base from said tramming station whereby the' operator may also control iiow of power'me'dium'to power operated swinging meanslfori said elevator boom, whereby the operyator'maycontrol horizontal swing of said elevator boom .from two spacedpoints with respect to the baseleither'while ridingA on the base or While standing at one side of said base.

12. A= timber setting machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said power operated swinging means fforf'said elevator boom is iluid actuated and said; remotely spaced control means each comprises.` a:l control valve for controllingthe flow of-operatingiiiuid; to said swinging. means, said pair of control valves provided with individual operating` elements whereby said valves may be separately actuated.

` 13. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base having a body for receiving mine timbers, said body having a horizontal, supporting surface, a horizontal turntable mounted in a relatively low position on said supporting surface, an elevator boom carried by said turntable to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto about a horizontal transverse axis and carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, means for swinging said elevator boom about its pivot, said elevator boom disposable in a substantially horizontal position below the top of said body with said saddle positioned beyond said end of said body at a level substantially even with the top of said body whereby a timber may be moved longitudinally from said body onto said saddle without bodily lifting of the timber, said turntable carrying longitudinalV guideways and a support guided for horizontal movement back and forth along said guideways and on which said elevator boom is pivotally supported, said turntable and said support both located below the top of said body, and power operated means for moving said support back and forth along said guideways for varying the horizontal position of said saddle with respect to said body.

14. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base having propelling and steering means and provided with a tramming station for the operator at one end of said base, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said base to swing horizontally relative thereto about a vertical axis and carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, said boom extending longitudinally outwardly from said base, fluid operated means for swinging said boom horizontally about its pivotal axis, a source of fluid under pressure, control valveA means located at the operators tramming station on the machine for controlling fluid flow from said source to said boom swinging means, and control valve means located at a station at one side of the machine at a point remote from said tramming station whereby the operator may also control iiuid flow from said source to said boom swinging means, thereby to enable swinging of said boom both during tramming of the machine about the mine and during the timber setting operation.

15. In a timber setting machine, a mobile base, a door jack device carried by said base at one end thereof and engageable with the floor for steadying said base during the timber setting operation, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said send of said base to swing horizontally about a vertical axis and to swing in vertical planes about a horizontal axis, means for mounting said elevator boom for horizontal rectilinear movement relative to said base, said elevator boom carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, iuid operated means for swinging said elevator boom horizontally about its vertical pivot, fluid operated means for swinging said elevator boom in vertical planes about its horizontal pivot, uid operated means for moving said elevator boom rectilinearly, and remote control means on said base and located longitudinally of said base at points remote from said jack devices and said elevator boom for controlling the supply of operating uid to said floor jack device and respectively to said several ud operated means.

16. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base adapted to support a load of mine timbers at its top, a horizontal turntable mounted at one end of said base, a support mounted on said turntable for horizontal rectilinear movement relative thereto, an elevator boom pivotallymounted on said support to swing in vertical planes relative thereto about a horizontal axis, said elevator boom carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, said boom when in horizontal timber receiving position disposed below the top of said base with said saddle located at a level substantially even with the top of said base in a position to receive a timber from the top of said base, fluid operated means for rotating said turntable, iiuid operated means for moving said support rectilinearly along its guideway, fluid operated means for swinging Said boom in vertical planes about its pivot, a source of fluid under pressure on said base, and remote control means on said base for controlling the flow of operating iiuid from said source respectively to said several fluid operated means.

17. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base having propelling and steering means and provided with a trarnming station for the operator at one end of said base, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said base to swing horizontally relative thereto about a vertical axis and carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, said boom extending longitudinally outwardly from said base, power operated means for swinging said boom horizontally about its pivotal axis, a power source on said base, operator controllable control means located at the operators tramming station on the base for controlling flow of power medium from said source to said boom swinging means, and operator controllable control means located at a station at one side of the machine at a point remote from said tramming station whereby the operator may also control ow of power medium from said source to said boom swinging means, thereby to enable swinging of said boom both during tramming of the machine about the mine and during the timber setting operation.

18. In a timber setting machine, the combination comprising a mobile base adapted to support a load of mine timbers at its top, a horizontal turntable mounted at one end of said base, a support mounted on said turntable for horizontal rectilinear movement relative thereto, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said support to swing in vertical planes relative thereto about a horizontal axis, said elevator boom carrying a timber receiving saddle at its outer extremity, said boom when in lowered horizontal timber receiving position disposed below the top of said base with said saddle located at a level substantially even with the top of said base in a position to receive a timber from the top of said base, power operated means for rotating said turntable, power operated means for moving said support rectilinearly along its guideway, power operated means for swinging said boom in vertical planes about its pivot, a power source on said base, and remote control means on said base and controllable by the operator for controlling the ow of power operating medium from said source respectively to said several power operated means.

CHARLES W. FITZGERALD.

(References on following page) 

